The main goal of the Research and Documentation Centre in the immigrants’ integration field is to contribute to the building of an open, diverse and united society by supplying relevant data regarding the migration phenomenon. The migration phenomenon is a very complex one, with enormous economic, social, cultural and even political ramifications. In order to grasp such a phenomenon we need to know and understand it.

The research team has analyzed the specialized literature in the immigrants’ integration field, which has been published in Romania in the last decade. The researchers assumed a series of starting hypotheses which operationalize objectives in a tangible manner and at the same time focus on research of the elements essential to this project. The analysis was conducted on the basis of several documents, among which: public policies documents issued by authorities with responsibilities in the field, periodical reports and varied studies done or required by public institutions, academic studies published by researchers in the field, either as books or articles in renowned newspapers.

The analysis was structured on the next four levels:
a) integrated studies, which approach several integration dimensions
b) immigration and immigrant perception (including anti-discrimination)
c) immigrants’ rights
d) integration dimensions: cultural integration, access to social services, healthcare services, education; workforce and housing.

The best analyzed levels in Romania are those related to perceptions and legiferation of some rights. There is constant concern, especially by NGOs to collect some statistic data, even if not always in research focused on immigration. Things are less than good with respect to the documentation on legislation implementation, especially access to various public services.

The research led to a good collaboration between public authorities and NGOs. Apparently, there are few policy analyses published by public institutions, but on closer inspection we notice that most reports coming from civil society were funded from European projects, that is public institutions. It is a good practice which has led to relevant results. Still, an official commitment of these studies in immigration public policies is missing.

With respect to academic research on immigration in Romania, it is still limited, at least at first glance. There are a few already published articles on this subject and no book whatsoever. In general, migration research in Romania focuses on the immigration component. On the other hand, there may be unpublished research or some that fit into the “grey” area, dissertation papers and PhDs which are not posted even online. The Centre for Documentation will also focus on developing partnerships with universities and collecting the results of this research in a systematic manner.

The next endeavor of the researcher team which activates in the centre is developing the conceptual frame by defining and operationalizing the integration concept, as well as its dimensions.